White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) De Bary, is a serious yield reducing fungal pathogen of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Our objective was to identify QTL for resistance to white mold from wild and landrace accessions of common bean using two inbred backcross line (IBL) populations derived from the recurrent black bean parent ÔTacanaÕ. Selective phenotyping failed to detect QTL for field disease resistance but other agronomic traits less sensitive to environmental conditions or population size were detected. Four novel QTLs for white mold resistance WM3.3 TW , WM7.5 TL , WM9.2 TW , and WM11.1 TL were identified in the greenhouse straw test on linkage groups B3, B7, B9, and B11, respectively, and two previously mapped QTL were also validated on B2 and B4. QTL, SY2.1 TL that accounted for 19-37% of the variation for yield under white mold pressure over 3 years, was detected on B2 in the TL population. Enhanced resistance to white mold in common bean could be achieved by combining different QTL associated with physiological resistance with yield under disease pressure.

White mold is a major disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in temperate production areas. The objective of this study was to use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from the BARCBean6K_3 BeadChip to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with traits related to white mold resistance in common bean. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from a cross of disease‐tolerant pinto line AN‐37 and disease‐susceptible line P02630 was evaluated in Michigan for 4 yr under white mold pressure. Traits evaluated included disease incidence, the numbers of days to flower and to maturity, canopy height, lodging, seed yield, and 100‐seed weight. A linkage map of the RIL population spanning 1499 cM was constructed using 447 SNP markers. The map covered all 11 bean chromosomes with an average distance of 3.6 cM between markers. A total of 13 QTL for agronomic and disease traits were consistently identified in different years. A major QTL WM3.1AN associated with white mold avoidance was validated on chromosome Pv03. The QTL is associated with disease avoidance traits such as canopy porosity, plant height, stay green stem trait, and maturity. Quantitative trait loci for maturity and canopy height also mapped to the same genomic region on Pv03. Finding strong associations between maturity, lodging, canopy height, and disease incidence offers alternative strategies to improve levels of white mold avoidance over greenhouse screening. The validation of the WM3.1AN, AP630 QTL for white mold avoidance should provide bean breeders with the opportunity to introgress avoidance traits into their germplasm.

‘Eldorado’ (Reg. No. CV‐302, PI 665012) pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), which was developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch, was released in 2012 as an upright, full‐season, disease‐resistant cultivar. Eldorado, tested as MSU breeding line P07863, was developed using the single‐seed‐descent breeding method to the F4 generation followed by pedigree selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. In 5 yr of field trials, Eldorado yielded 3364 kg ha−1, flowered in 42 d, and matured in 98 d. Plants averaged 53 cm in height, with a lodging‐resistance score of 1.9 and a seed size of 43 g 100 seed−1. Eldorado combines exceptional yield potential and erect architecture with full‐season maturity in the pinto seed type. Eldorado has resistance to lodging and high pod placement within the plant structure, making it suitable for direct harvest under narrow‐row production systems. The upright architecture also contributes to avoidance of white mold [caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary], a disease intensified by narrow‐row production systems. In irrigated trials designed to promote the development of white mold disease, Eldorado had 30% incidence over 5 yr compared with other pinto cultivars that had from 42 to 72% white mold incidence. Eldorado possesses resistance to specific races of rust, virus, and anthracnose. Eldorado has a large, mottled, dry‐bean seed that meets industry standards for packaging and canning quality in the pinto bean seed class.

As countries of sub-Saharan Africa expand irrigation to improve food security and foster economic growth, it is important to quantify the malaria risk associated with this process. Irrigated ecosystems can be associated with increased malaria risk, but this relationship is not fully understood. We studied this relationship at the Bwanje Valley Irrigation Scheme (800 hectares) in Malawi. Household prevalence of malaria and indoor Anopheles density were quantified in two cross-sectional studies in 2016 and 2017 (5,829 residents of 1,091 households). Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate the association between distance to the irrigation scheme and malaria infection and mosquito density. The prevalence of malaria infection was 50.2% (2,765/5,511) by histidine-rich protein 2–based malaria rapid diagnostic tests and 30.1% (1,626/5,403) by microscopy. Individuals residing in households within 3 km of the scheme had significantly higher prevalence of infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18, 1.68); school-aged children had the highest prevalence among age groups (aOR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.11, 1.63). Individuals who reported bed net use, and households with higher socioeconomic status and higher level of education for household head or spouse, had lower odds of malaria infection. Female Anopheles mosquitoes (2,215 total; Anopheles arabiensis, 90.5%, Anopheles funestus, 9.5%) were significantly more abundant in houses located within 1.5 km of the scheme. Proximity of human dwellings to the irrigation scheme increased malaria risk, but higher household wealth index reduced risk. Therefore, multisectoral approaches that spur economic growth while mitigating increased malaria transmission are needed for people living close to irrigated sites.